Our Team
Dr. Andrew Kuo, PhD
Chief Executive Officer
Dr. Andrew Kuo, Co-Founder and CEO of the Amped Institute, combines academic insight with real-world impact. As a professor of marketing at LSU since 2012, Andrew brings a decade of hands-on experience from the non-profit sector, notably in organizations devoted to social justice. His expertise in strategic communication and market research, coupled with his passion for advocacy and equity, shapes the Institute’s forward-thinking approach to DEI initiatives. Andrew’s leadership at the Amped Institute is marked by a commitment to bridging academic theories with practical solutions, fostering an environment where diverse perspectives are both celebrated and integral to success. Beyond his professional pursuits, Andrew is a passionate musician, often found playing guitar and collaborating with artists in his recording studio.
Dr. Alex Torres, PhD
Chief Diversity Officer
Dr. Alex Torres, Chief Diversity Officer of the Amped institute, has over ten years of experience in facilitating and advocating for implementing culturally sustaining and healing-centered approaches in public schools, higher education institutions, and corporations in the Deep South. As an ethnographer, writer, and researcher, Alex develops strategies that encourage members of organizations to work across social lines, exploring complex notions of diversity, intersectionality, and social justice. Alex believes in the power of building trusting relationships and individual healing to enhance communication and collaboration in work and community spaces. Alex grew up in Mississippi via Mexico City and currently resides in New Orleans with her wife and cats.
Dr. Emma Gist, PhD
Chief Academic Research Officer
Dr. Emma Gist, the Amped Institute’s Chief Research Officer, is an educator, writer, and researcher dedicated to transformative learning grounded in inquiry and joy. Emma has taught in California, Louisiana, and Arkansas, centering her research and teaching practice on the possibilities and challenges of facilitating authentic learning that engages students in creativity as well as responsibility. Emma is committed to refining and sharing organizational practices that invite all stakeholders into meaningful engagement, and has applied her expertise in facilitation, organizational leadership, and collaborative practices in a variety of professional contexts over the last decade. After spending time living in Chicago, southern and northern California, and Baton Rouge, Emma now lives back in her hometown of Little Rock, AR.